The University of Maine at Augusta is celebrating its 60th anniversary; six decades of transforming lives and strengthening communities. Since 1965, UMA has opened doors for learners of every age and background, and today that mission is carried forward with new facilities, new programs and new connections that prepare students for the future while supporting Maine’s workforce and communities.
A capital center for Maine’s workforce
This fall, UMA opened the Capital Center for Nursing and Cybersecurity Workforce Development. The 21,000-square-foot center, located in the Marketplace at Augusta directly across from UMA’s main campus, features advanced simulation labs for nursing, a 3,000-square-foot cybersecurity training facility and collaborative classrooms, giving students real-world training environments that mirror the workplace they will enter. The $7.15 million renovation of the former Purdue Global site was made possible through Congressionally Directed Spending secured by U.S. Sens. Collins, current chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Angus King, at the request of the University of Maine System, along with a $480,000 gift from MaineGeneral Health and led by Lavallee Brensinger Architects and Consigli Construction Co., Inc.
This new space is built to give students the skills and confidence to excel in some of Maine’s most in-demand careers. “The Capital Center represents UMA at its best, educating students with innovative tools and experiences that connect directly to careers,” said UMA President Jenifer Cushman. “It allows us to expand our programs, welcome more students, and strengthen Maine’s workforce in healthcare and cybersecurity.”
Maine is on track to face a shortage of nearly 3,000 nurses by 2030. To help meet that need, UMA’s expanded nursing labs accommodate educating up to 400 students each year. These state-of-the-art spaces give future nurses hands-on experience with everything from everyday care to advanced procedures, all in realistic hospital settings—so they’re fully prepared to step into real-world roles with skill and confidence.
Cybersecurity students are gaining equally valuable experience in their new classrooms and at the Maine Cyber Range, one of the most advanced training environments in New England. Here, they get to practice defending live systems against simulated threats — the very work they’ll do to protect Maine’s businesses, municipalities and health care systems.
Nursing student Chloe Wilson said the new labs feel “just like stepping into a real hospital.” Cybersecurity graduate student Sarah Cook-Wheeler added that the training “lets us practice the same kind of work we’ll be doing to protect Maine’s businesses and communities.”
Expanding student life in Hallowell
Growth in these programs is also creating opportunities in Hallowell. UMA is partnering with Mastway Development to add new student housing at Stevens Commons, opening fall 2027. With 60 beds and a full-service dining hall, more students can share in campus life and feel connected to each other and the community.
That means more students enjoying downtown, visiting local businesses, and becoming part of the daily rhythm of a town that has long welcomed UMA learners as neighbors and friends.
Honoring the past, building the future
As UMA celebrates six decades of opportunity and transformation, our commitment is as strong as ever: meeting students where they are, preparing them for meaningful careers and strengthening the communities they call home. From the Capital Center to Stevens Commons, UMA is proud to stand with Augusta, Hallowell and all of Maine as both a trusted neighbor and a catalyst for progress.